See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

Episode: David Pollack’s Week 4 CFB PICKS: Auburn-Oklahoma, Texas Tech-Utah, Illinois-Indiana and more
Date: September 17, 2025
Host: David Pollack
Co-host: Brent

Overview of the Episode

This episode is all about deep, energetic college football analysis and predictions for Week 4's biggest games. David Pollack and Brent break down matchups, discuss team identities, highlight key players, and dive into data-driven insights. They make their picks for the week’s marquee showdowns, including Auburn-Oklahoma, Texas Tech-Utah, Illinois-Indiana, and more, blending hardcore football analysis with their trademark humor and camaraderie.

The episode is split into the following main themes:

• Deep dives on top Week 4 college football games ("nugget platter" games)
• Player and coaching breakdowns with strategy insights
• Data, stats, and historical context
• Signature bold predictions with a side of banter
• Memorable moments and fun asides (including debates on chicken nuggets and running backs)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Week 4 Stage – Expectations & Themes

Timestamps: 02:18–02:42

• Week 4 is described as a prelude ("appetizer") to the crucial matchups in Week 5, but includes major games that will tell us a lot about conference races—especially in the Big 12.
• David highlights how teams like Utah and Texas Tech have rebuilt themselves with new coaches and heavy transfer portal use.

“Next week we’re going to have some separation in the SEC and Big Ten…this week, to me, it’s in the Big 12.” – David Pollack (02:26)

2. Game Breakdown: Texas Tech at Utah (“Nugget Platter Game”)

Timestamps: 04:36–11:13

Team Storylines & Matchup Analysis

• Both teams have heavily retooled via the transfer portal and staff changes; Utah especially flipped its offensive identity, possibly in Coach Kyle Whittingham’s last year.
• Utah’s unique offense, led by QB Devin Dampier and creative OC, gets top marks for unpredictability and heavy use of empty backfields.
• Texas Tech’s defense is highlighted for its pressure—the D-line has 44 QB pressures and 7 sacks from five new transfer portal players (06:29).

“This is cool to see…defensive linemen that pressure the quarterback, that are big, that are physical. If you don’t have that…you’re not going to beat Utah.” – David Pollack (06:45)

Red Zone Prediction

• David:
  • Sees the game being decided in the red zone—with Utah’s run game and Dampier’s legs giving them the edge.
  • Prediction: Utah 28, Texas Tech 27
• Brent:
  • Thinks Texas Tech’s D-line will limit Dampier and their offensive weapons will break through.
  • Prediction: Texas Tech 30, Utah 24

“I trust Utah in the red zone with Dampier and their running game more than I trust Texas Tech.” – David Pollack (10:13)

3. Auburn at Oklahoma

Timestamps: 12:30–16:44

• Auburn’s identity crisis continues; is it a contender or pretender in the SEC?
• Oklahoma’s dual-threat QB Jackson Arnold is key: 192 rushing yards, 2nd in SEC among QBs.
• Both hosts debate whether Arnold can keep his composure and ball security under pressure against a much tougher defense than Baylor’s.
• Venables’ Oklahoma D is “number one in the power four and unblocked pressures” (14:45).

Predictions

• Brent: Oklahoma by 10; Score: 34–24
• David: Oklahoma wins with defense, controlling first/last quarters; Score: 28–20

“That gives you an idea of coaching and adjusting and Venables and who he is.” – David Pollack (15:20)

4. Illinois at Indiana

Timestamps: 17:05–24:20

• Both teams feel like physical mirror images: balanced, mistake-averse, with veteran QBs (Altmeyer for Illinois, Mendoza for Indiana).
• David values Illinois’s continuity (18 returning starters, same OC/DC/HC/Strength coach for 3 years).
• Brent trusts Illinois’s experience and balance; David is swayed by Indiana’s playmakers out wide (Omar Cooper Jr., Surratt) to make the home difference.
• Fun stat: Omar Cooper Jr. had 10 catches, 207 yards, 4 TDs last week—the first Big Ten player to do it since 2015 (22:44).

Predictions

• Brent: Illinois wins
• David: Indiana wins 28–24; Illinois may be “teetering” on the eliminated list if they lose.

5. Florida at Miami – “Heartburn Game”

Timestamps: 24:28–29:28

• Miami is a 3-point favorite at home for first time the rivalry is played in Miami since 2013.
• Florida faces a brutal stretch—7 of next 9 opponents are currently top 15.
• DJ Lagway’s confidence and decision-making are issues for Florida.
• Miami’s run D is elite; 10 games under 100 yards allowed in last 16 (26:43).

“They’ve consistently been a brick wall on the lines of scrimmage.” – David Pollack (26:43)

Predictions

• David: All Hurricanes, 31–17
• Brent: Miami wins, possibly lower scoring (27–13); notes WR #11 Mizell should get more touches for Florida.

6. Michigan at Nebraska

Timestamps: 30:06–37:14

• Huge for playoff race and both teams’ aspirations.
• Nebraska hasn’t beaten a ranked team since 2016 (30:43).
• Both teams rely on run game: Justice Haynes (Michigan, >100yds all games) vs. Emmett Johnson (Nebraska).
• QB duel: 2024’s two top former five-star QBs—Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) vs Bryce Underwood (Michigan).
• Underwood’s running is viewed as the X-factor.
• Marlon Klein (Mich TE) is back: “Top five fastest guy on the team” (35:38).

Predictions

• David: Michigan wins tight, 24–21 (“Justice Haynes is the difference”)
• Brent: Michigan, also citing Underwood’s running.

7. Arizona State at Baylor (“Veggie Tray Game”)

Timestamps: 37:20–40:10

• Both have QBs who haven’t hit their ceiling; Arizona State’s Sam Levitt is called a “dynamic athlete” but needs to make simpler plays.
• Arizona State’s run game efficient despite injuries.
• Brent: Baylor’s defense is less trustworthy, Arizona State’s potential is higher.
• Both pick ASU: Score: 31–27

8. Tulane at Ole Miss (G5 Game of the Week)

Timestamps: 40:48–46:52

• Tulane is the top G5 bet for a NY6 spot; David loves the team's identity/discipline.
• QB Jake Retzlaff’s legs are a weapon—40 carries, 6 rushing TDs in 3 games.
• Ole Miss faces questions at QB health, but backup Trinidad Chambers “more than proved himself”: 350+ passing, 2 rushing TDs on debut.
• Tulane leads nation in drop rate at 21%—a major concern.

“Nine different guys…have a drop [for Tulane].” – Co-host Brent (43:40)

Predictions

• David: Ole Miss 35–23
• Brent: Ole Miss 42–27

9. Michigan State at USC

Timestamps: 47:17–50:44

• Can USC’s “empty calories” early season continue as Big Ten play heats up?
• Michigan State’s QB Aidan Chiles has made a leap (59% completions last year, now 5 TD, 0 INT).
• USC is “almost 50/50 run-pass, top 10 in explosive run/pass plays.”
• Both hosts see this as USC’s statement game—they expect a clear win.

Predictions

• David: USC 34–17
• Brent: USC 34–20

“If USC beats Michigan State, I think they get ranked this week; they'll pop into the polls.” – David Pollack (49:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Utah’s offense:
  "You haven't seen this type of an offense…a running QB, a new system, a whole new OC, so many new guys through the transfer portal. A lot of newness.” – David (03:20)
• On Chicken Nuggets vs. Fingers Debate:
  “If you prefer the chicken finger, you are absolutely wrong.” – David (04:48)
• On Identity of Auburn:
  “Auburn, the identity crisis that is…what are we, bro? Are we closer to the top of the SEC or the bottom?” – David (12:33)
• On Playoff Implications:
  “This is probably…one of those separator-type games, might have to relook at our playoff prediction after this weekend.” – Brent (17:05)
• On Miami’s Run D:
  “They’ve consistently been a brick wall on the lines of scrimmage.” – David (26:43)
• On Michigan-Nebraska run game:
  “Justice Haynes is a dude now. Like, he's over 100 yards in all three games.” – David (31:10)
• On Tulane receivers:
  “If they actually catch the ball…they’re #1 in the FBS in drop percentage, and it’s not a low number: 21%.” – Brent (43:15)
• On “Thick Six”:
  “When you get a guy over three hundo and he gets his hands on the ball…that’s a thick six.” – David (47:40)

Main Takeaways

• Lots of new faces: Several teams are early-season wildcards due to transfers, new coaches, and shifting offensive schemes.
• QB play and line play are lynchpins for every major matchup—QB legs (Dampier, Underwood), offensive/defensive line matchups (Texas Tech D-line vs Utah O-line), and QB decision-making (Lagway, Levitt).
• Red zone execution and explosive plays will decide tight games.
• The show’s attitude: Equal parts passionate, competitive, irreverent, and stats-driven.

Important Timestamps by Segment

• [02:18] – Weekly overview & major storylines
• [04:36] – Texas Tech at Utah: Complete preview & picks
• [12:30] – Auburn at Oklahoma: Preview & picks
• [17:05] – Illinois at Indiana: Preview & picks
• [24:28] – Florida at Miami: Heartburn preview & picks
• [30:06] – Michigan at Nebraska: Preview & picks
• [37:20] – Arizona State at Baylor: Preview & picks
• [40:48] – Tulane at Ole Miss: G5 game breakdown
• [47:17] – Michigan State at USC: Preview & picks

Episode Verdict & Recap

This episode is a must-listen for CFB fans seeking honest, in-depth game analysis, personality-driven banter, and actual predictions for real weekend action—wrapped with David Pollack’s signature “no-nonsense, all-heart” style. It has everything for both the diehard stat head and the casual Saturday viewer. Missed the games? Tune back in for their Saturday night recap.

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